Page 76 of The Bargain

I arched an eyebrow with incredulity. “Just remind me, when did it become your business?”

He sighed. “She is a nice person.”

“When did you find out?”

“For sure? Today. But I'd always suspected and I'm sure you did too.”

I should have, of course, I should've, but I’d been too blinded by my misplaced anger and desire for revenge.

“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t notice she was not a prostitute; we weren't all raised by one.”

Jeremy shook his head, making me feel like a giant dick. Part of me wanted to apologize - and I never wanted to apologize - but I wouldn’t. I’d been aggravated with him since he'd met Opal - or Amber or whatever her name was. He has wanted her from the start and it’s been rubbing me the wrong way.

I stood up. “Will Timothy be okay?”

Jeremy nodded.

I straightened my jacket. “I’m grateful for what you've done for my family, but what happens between us is none of your business. Are we clear? That woman -” I pointed at the door in the direction we'd left Amber - “is not yours. Not yours to protect, not yours to defend.”

“I see. Is she yours then? Does she know that?” he asked just as I reached the door.

I swirled around, pointing an accusing finger at him. “Back. Off. Hunt. What I do or say to her isn't your concern.” I took a deep breath.

“We need to discuss Timothy’s ongoing treatment,” he added quickly.

I narrowed my eyes. Was he trying to stall me? Why? “Timothy will be here for some time still; we can discuss this later. Don’t you think Op- Amber should be a part of this?”

He cocked his head to the side. “I don’t know; you tell me.”

I sighed. I didn’t have time for these games. “We’ll be back later to discuss Timothy’s treatment.”

I walked down the corridor, only to find it empty. I looked around; it was not like her to leave Timothy if she could help it. She loved that child more than anything in the world.

Walking over to the glass, I looked at Timothy, he has been fighting for his life since the moment he was born. Our boy had the heart of a warrior.

“Our boy?” I whispered, resting my hand on the glass window. But it was true. These past few weeks, I’ve been seeing him as such and consequently Opal as mine.

Where was she? If it was so overwhelming for me to see such an innocent little child fighting for his life. She would not have left him. It was not like her.

But at the same time, the cold shoulder she’d given me today had been out of character as well. I’d done everything right this time. I made sure she came every time I'd taken her last night. I’d left her a note. I’d thought I’d shown her she mattered, the only way I really knew how.

Was she being distant because she knew I was about to find out the truth? That was obviously something we’d need to discuss. Lies and deception had no place in our lives.

Unless you’re the one doing it, isn’t that right, brother?Lea had the ability to aggravate me even when she wasn’t here.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I hoped it was Amber, but it wasn’t.

“Mrs. James, is everything alright?” Mrs. James never called, so it had to be important.

“I’m not sure, sir. As you are probably aware, Ms. Opal is back, but she seems to be packing her belongings.”

My heart dropped as a feeling of dread took over. It was a new, unfamiliar feeling. That woman and child really knew how to wake up new parts of me, and I wasn’t sure if I was grateful for that or not.

“Just -” What could I say really? Lock her in her room? Yes, that was bound to go well. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Please stall her if you need to.”

“I’ll try my best, sir.”

I’d actually managed to make it home in twelve minutes. Owning a Porsche did have its advantages.

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